Shasta Brand Thrives at Retro RV Rentals

Darci Schapansky has carved out a niche in the RV rental business in central Saskatchewan.

Schapansky, owner and operator of Retro RV Rentals in Emma Lake, 30 minutes north of Prince Albert in the center of the province, not only rents trailers, but depending how far her customers are headed, she will also tow it there and get it set up. Lakeland, Waskesiu and Candle Lake are common destinations, the Prince Albert Daily Herald reported.

“You just kind of show up and are ready to go,” she said.

Schapansky likes to stay within a 60-mile radius of Emma Lake,which is located north of Saskatoon.

“It’s been a big hit,” she said, explaining it is something she has seen in Alberta, but not in Saskatchewan.

The trailers she offers are the Shasta, Trillium and Max Sport. They can accommodate anywhere from two to six people and range in price based on a weekly rate.

The Shasta is her pride and joy. The unit is based off one built in the 1950s and she said it has a following.

“It is brand new but they made them look like they did in the ’50s,” she said, explaining that is where the name for her company came from.

The lightweight trailer is very small, but has a kitchen, dining area and queen-size bed. It is even fully electric with 30-amp service, she said.

“It is great for couples whose kids have left home,” she said.

Schapansky only opened the business this year and has hit a couple of learning curves. She has realized she cannot be everywhere at once.

She knew she wanted to open up her own business and this is something she could do with kids in tow.

So far, rentals have not been for more than two weeks.

She has already had a couple of requests from snowbirds — Canadians who spend their winters in the warmer U.S. — but is not too sure how that will work if they plan to take them out of the country.

For right now, Schapansky plans to keep the company small, but is open to expanding in the future.